First Learning Outcome: Identify, discuss, and consider student attrition rates among North American post-secondary learners and the range of resulting implications (social and economic)
Second Learning Outcome: Identify and discuss historical retention theories and their role in the 21st century post-secondary environment
Third Learning Outcome: Analyze and consider the role that soft-skills play in combating student attrition rates
Core Competencies: Change Management
Diversity and Inclusion
Proficiencies: Enrollment Management: Developing Enrollment Mix
Intended Audience: General Audience; Faculty
Presenter(s):
Nicole Lee University of Windsor
Uncovering Essential Skills for Student Retention: The Creation of a Soft-Skills Education Program
Description
Student attrition rates in higher education are most prevalent in the first year of study, with many post-secondary institutions implementing retention initiatives as an attempt to prevent students from dropping out (Astin, 1975; Ishler & Upcraft, 2005; Tinto, 1987; Tinto, 1993). However, many of these retention initiatives assume that students entering post-secondary studies already possess the soft-skills needed to effectively engage with the resources designed for their success and retention (Savitz-Romer & Boufford, 2012). Motivation, perseverance, and self-regulation are all examples of soft-skills, which are increasingly being seen as equal to, or of greater importance to cognitive skills when it comes to student success and workforce advancement (Brunello & Schlotter, 2011; Cunha & Heckman, 2007; Heckman & Kautz, 2012; Kautz, Heckman, Diris, Weel, & Borghans, 2014, Kyllonen, 2013; Padhi, 2014). Nevertheless, the majority of studies surrounding soft-skills development are focused on K-12 learners, with minimal attention given to post-secondary students.
Therefore, the purpose of this research study is to explore the impact of soft-skills education on student experiences and retention at the post-secondary level. The goal of this research study is to inform best practices at the post-secondary level and to create a sustainable first-year transitional program that focuses on the development of soft-skills at the adult stage of life for the purpose of enhancing student experiences, improving student retention rates, and graduating learners adequately prepared for today’s workforce. To do this, three research questions will be explored:
1. Which (if any) soft-skills are perceived to be the greatest predictors of student engagement and persistence?
2. What are the perceptions of institutional stakeholders on the current level, value and role of soft-skills in post-secondary learners and how might this impact student experiences, development, engagement, and decisions to persist to graduation?
3. What impact does role-modeling soft-skills through programming that utilizes peer mentors have on the student experience and persistence to graduation? As well, what is the impact on the mentor?
Submission ID:
T4.4021
Day:
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Time:
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM